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Yet I am going to encounter both things this upcoming Thursday (the 29th) as I take a trip down to Philadelphia (alone for the first time ever in life ... ever) to check out the Trans Conference going on there Thursday through Saturday.

I've seriously never been on a Greyhound before. And I've never been in a big city virtually alone before, either. Virtually alone because I do have quite a few friends attending the conference and I will be spending a bit of time with a certain resident of Philadelphia we are all quite familiar with here. I have almost no money. I don't know how I'm going to pay for food as I can barely afford the bus tickets, but I'm pretty much just going with very little money and a messenger bag full of clothes and toothpaste and shit. There are literally *three different people* I will be staying with on *three different nights* because they all offered me a place to sleep for no charge, which means a great deal to me.

But anyway, the plans are for the most part confirmed and I am totally scared, so please give me some encouragement and tell me I will not be offed by some Philly version of Leatherface while I'm there.

You are going to be fine..this sounds like a big adventure for you so sit back and enjoy it...and like you said you will be with people you know once you get there.

I have no idea how long the bus trip will be but take sandwiches and some bottles of juice so you don't have to spend any money at the bus stops (I'm assuming they do have stops along the way).

Have a great time and don't stress about anything...and of course we all want reports when you get back.

Edited to add..because Matty was posting at the same time....our young man is growing up Matty, I know it can be scary going out on your own for the first time, and there are many here who will worry about him, but he has a good head on his shoulders.

It's about a 2 hour bus ride. I'm not that far from Philly. I don't think there'll be any stops. I hope not anyway. I just want to get on and get off and go where I wanna go. I'm making a friend of mine meet me at the terminal even though it's honestly a matter of a few hundred feet from the place I'm going. I'm like 5'5" and small and scared of my own shadow. No way am I going to be alone when I don't have to be. xD

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

But anyway, the plans are for the most part confirmed and I am totally scared, so please give me some encouragement and tell me I will not be offed by some Philly version of Leatherface while I'm there.

Dear, I share the same fears as you (going somewhere I've never been etc.). Like Jan said, pack some sandwiches, drink etc. I'm sure Philicia will keep you fed. And she should be a good guide also. You'll be alright. Please let us know what happens as soon as you're able. I'll be thinking about you sweetie. Luv,Betty

Logged

I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

You have been on my mind Mouse ( I was about to post something this morning like "where the hell is Mouse? or something like that)

Wow, your trip sounds exciting but I do understand your anxieties about traveling (getting lost and public transportation). Everyone has given good advice (although I don't think a red wine would go well with liver) I would also suggest keeping your money and stuff tucked away on your person (not a jacket or something you might want to take off). OH and stops? um, well don't be surprised if you hit every city to Philadelphia (but hopefully things have changed since the last time i rode a bus a long distance)

Might I suggest that if you have a cell phone, that if it has GPS capabilities that that you activate that in the unlikely event you get turned around direction wise, I know that I did the last time i was in Philly, and I was downtown on Broad street. Nice area though. Just some advice to help you on the trip. Never hurts to be very prepared.

Philadelphia is easy to get around in. You're going to be fine there, Jaser. You'll probably notice a lot of things your native hosts hardly even pick up on and so you'll be turning them on to their own city.

The time is going to fly and be over before you want it to be and you'll be talking about how soon you want to go back again. Really.

Hey Alice spending time with Philly will result in you stepping through a rainbow colored looking glass. Here's a remix you may like that was done by an Australian bloke named Nick Bertke who describes himself as a deviant of many talents.

Jaser -- you're going to have a blast, I know it. I grew up outside Philly (in Berwyn, PA), so I know the city well -- it's a great town.

xoxo,

Peter

Oh god. I've been there. I once took a trip with a crazy bisexual girl I met at a lgbt group I go to up here who lived in Berwyn and asked me if I could help her move her shit back home from college (she went to De Sales up here).

I can't even properly express the level of crazy she was. Why do I have to be so damn nice?

i left my hear in philly but still live about an hour away. are you looking for a guide while there? let me know. I am very familiar with the city after living there for like 18 years. I love it and miss it and cannot wait to go back. I need to find cheaper rent or a room mate.

Well, Philicia just donated a Louis Vuitton belt, a black pair of Thierry Mugler jeans and an orange shirt with rubberized trim (very 80's retro) to the Mouse College Apparel Fund. (Jaser said stfu Matty about the clothing...)

Oh, and last night we watched Dangerous Liasons and ate buttermilk fried chicken from Whole Foods, because I was too lazy to cook. (oh... did I mention that he TOTALLY blew off the Tranny Convention yesterday? slacker!)